Die-hard dreamer

ईश्वर, अल्लाह, तेरे जहाँ में नफ़रत क्यों है, जंग है क्यों? तेरा दिल तो इतना बड़ा है, इंसान का दिल तंग है क्यों? - From the movie 1947 Earth Another series of blasts, and we already seem to have recovered from the trauma. In fact, these things do not seem to affect us at all, because they happen to others . Are they really happening to others? If the people in pre-independent India also thought that things were happening to others, would India have united against the British rule? So, what can we do, you would ask. I don't know. I am as clueless as you are. Something burns inside me. Help me know what I can do.

In response to my last post, a friend said that she is afraid that the donations won't reach the needy. I know that she is one of those people who are eager to help but the thought of the money not reaching the needy makes her a bit sceptical. Still, I know she will help. On the other hand, some of us stop ourselves from helping because we think our help will land in the wrong hands. I believe most of us are good at heart but the cynicism overcomes the humanity in us. If all of us think this way, will we be able to help ever? The many 'destitutes' turning up at the door narrate the same tear-jerking story, conning us over and over again. We have grown to distrust people. Yet, we know that we may be turning away some people who are in the real need. Should we stop trusting people completely? How can we ever make use of our existence then? We cannot possibly do everything ourselves. And even if we could, we would need the support from others - financial or otherwise. Would o...

A cousin, who is a doctor, reached Bihar today to help with the flood relief. Some people I know are eager to go to Bihar to contribute physically to the efforts. However, doctors and swimmers can be of more help than others. But all of us can contribute in some way or the other, nothing being any less significant. And it's not only about sending money, but sending medicines, milk powder, clothes, and other items. I came across a couple of blogs while looking for a way to contribute. One of them is called the Bihar Flood Relief - 2008 . The people involved are contributing more than money. They have an idea of what is required there and they are passing down the information to us and even transporting the collected items to the flood-affected regions. For the ones in Benguluru, you can send money and other items through an NGO called Prayaas. The NGO's details are available in the blog. You can get in touch with them about sending essential items. Here are the details for sendi...

I carry on with my life as if nothing has happened. I understand mourning is not a solution to the terror problem, however, I fear that a cloud of insensitivity is trying to overcome my humanity. Is normalcy taking over the good sense? Or, have I started defining good sense in a different way? So, what can I do? Not laugh at the insensitive jokes cracked by others. Be more alert.

Read a brilliant piece on Sagarika Ghose's blog this morning. The glorification of symbols and the derision of the thoughts and ideals of the ones they represent is horrifyingly evident in the power playground in India. ख़ुदा की खिदमत कुछ इस तरह की हमने, ख़ुदा की तस्वीर को ख़ुदा से बड़ा बना दिया

Woke up with the news of the Jaipur blasts. Already shocked with the unpredictability of life in circumstances like these, I was appalled at how news channels carried the news, more interested in soliciting comments and video clips from the general public than helping them with helpline numbers and other information. Not that I have seen this the first time. Does the Fourth Estate need a monitoring eye? Probably yes. Let us not get carried away in a different direction, far away from our sense of humanity. Here are the helpline numbers to help you get information about the deceased and the injured: 0141–2574456 0141-2560291 0141-2619827 The injured need blood urgently. Please rush to the Sawai Madho Singh (SMS) Hospital, if you are in Jaipur, to donate your blood. Let this news not be just another audio and visual piece while you have your breakfast. Let's do what we can.